Truck for railway and tramway vehicles.



EL PBGKHAM. TRUCK FOR RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY VEHICLES.

- AIi LIQATION 171L111 MAY 22, 1906. 905,354.

Patented Deb l, 1908'.

Ull'lll dilj @j .ihilitlitd nn'r enri EDGAR PEGKHAM, or wns nvnnsrnn, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO MARY .11 enointsn',

' or LONDON, ENGLAND.

TRUCK RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY VEHIfiLEEl.

N0. cosi.

Sneeification of Letters lPa'tient.

Patented 13cc. 1, 1908.

Application filed May 22, 1905. Serial No. new.

i don, cl. England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relnting to Trucks for Rail av and Tramway Vehicles (it which the following is a speci- 'ticntion.

The present invention relates to improve-- ments in means for supporting the trucks or under-carriages of rail my and tramway vehicles from the axle journahboxes and the improvement also embodies a novel form of truck frame which also constitutes a part of my invention.

One of the objects of my ii'ivention to prmzide a form of suspension tor the truck or body of a vehicle which while being; particularly adaptable to electrically propelled vehicles is equally service: hie for other selfpropelled vehicles. This gear or truck suspension device tlOE-Ilg'lltltl to allow the journal-box and axle to move easily either lateri ally, radially; or both as desired. so as to adjust itself to the condition of the railway track and relieve the wheel flanges and rails from the pressure produced by the mnpght ot the car body when turi'iingcurves.

Another object of my invention is to pro ride by means 01" a spring); plate or plank. an increased supporting base for the truck frame without increadng the distance be tween the wheel centers.

l /lieu the connection between the axles oil a vehicle and the truck rigid with the (X- ception of the usual spring-controlled movement up and down, the etlcct of side thrust on the wheels and axles produced when the vehicle is running around a curve or on an uneven track is disastrous to the wheel flanges and rail and also additional power is required to propel. the vehicle, for under these conditions the friction between the wheels and the rails is increased. The inonieutum given to'a. vehicle must when devicaused .therehy; but if the connection aforesaid yieldahle, a lateral movement is 1m, parted at the point of sustmnsionto give Way to the side thrust and in consequence the had effect of side thrust is entitely obviated.

It desirable in cases Where the permanent way on a railway 0r tramway line is such that sharp curves are to he met with, to provide a suspension device between the truck or vehicle and the wheels and axles thereof whichwill permit the Wheels and suspension device of this description is' termed a radial gear and in developing my improved suspension device I have provided a construction for such a gear.

} 'tnother object of my invention is to provide a truck side frame member of a new term. I

My improved construction embodies in one member as integral parts, the several members which have in the past been constructed separately and afterwards joined together to build up and form a complete centih-Wer side frame as described for instance in my application for U. S. Patent Serial No. 282.92% filed ()ctober 16th 1905. The parts in question consist of a top memher,. pedestals for the axle journal hoxes. end truss jn'leu'ibers and pockets for both the axle springs and the ear springs. An important Feature in this "construction is that the side frame can be cast and still pos.v an cthcient amount of strength and also lacing cast in one piece the cost of manu tacture is consid-p ably lessened.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention. Figure 1 is a side elevatioi'i of a completed truck mounted on the wheels and showing my improved construction of the side frame and the truck suspension; Flg. 2 1s a top plan view of the said side member; Fig. 3 is a section on line as a: of Fig. 1 and. illustrates the truck suspension device; Fig. l is a side elevation of part of a truck and shows the suspension device With details of construction slightly difierent from those shown in the preceding figures; Fig. shows in sideelevation a part or a truck having a radial suspension device; Fig. 6 is a detail view of the end of a hanger to show one means for obtaining; a rotary movementibetween the radiatio and the other the snspen. I"

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, 1 in j springs 8 interposed between the spring dicates the truck frame side member made 111 1 one piece, preferably a casting, and includes integral parts thereof the equivalent of a -top member designated by the numeral 2,

pedestals 3, end truss members 4 and if desired, also the cup-shaped pockets 5 for the car springs 6 and the pockets or housings 7 for the axle springs S. The frame 1 is preferably reinforced at its middle to give additional strength at that point and this reinforcement 9 serves to provide bearings for the motor suspension and for hanging brakes which act on the permanent Way. portions 4 are provided to support and brace the ends of the frame which carry the springs 10 for supporting the ends of the car. These springs are connected to the carplate 11 which is in turn secured to the car body (not shown). The car plate 11 has formed on its under-side pockets 12 to receive the upper ends of the car supporting springs 6.

My improved truck frame and also the sus wnsion device hereinafter described, is applicable to various types of trucks which include maximum traction and double trucks,

but the construction is..tavorable and especially suitable tor single trucks with a long spring base. The distance the pedestal sec-- tions 3 are apart determines the length of the wheel base, the recesses 13 adapted to receive the axle journal-boxes being located centrally in the pedestal sections 3.

A truck frame constructed in accordance with my invention can have an extra long spring base so consequently a car body of extra length can be safely carried. This is permissible on account of the truss members 4 at the ends of the truck member acting as bracesor supports for the ends of the car body; also my proposed construction of this complete member 1 is such that greater rigidity can be obtained, so the effect of end thrust to the truck and itching and swaying of the vehicle body 1s taken up entirely by the supporting springs.

Another important feature in my truck framwconstruction and also. the truck sus-- pension WlllCll will presently be descrlbed, is

that very few bolts and nuts are employed. This is another advantage over other trucks, for considerable trouble is experienced when the nuts work-loose.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 3 and 4, my improvements relating to the suspension of the truck from the axle journal boxes consists of a U-shaped link 14 hanging down from the top of the journal box 15 and carrying at its ends a plank or plate 16 which is held by'the nuts 17 on the threaded ends of the link 14. The journal box 15 is located in the recess 13 of the pedestal portion of the frame member" which is permitted to move up and down under control of the axle Truss plank-or plate 16 and the under-side of the truck side member 1. This member is preterably recessed at 18 to allow the spring plank to rest thereinso that it will be above the lower extremities of the truck frame and also allow a space for the vertical movements of the truck.

In Fig. 1 the link 1'4 is a continuous U- shaped member placed in an inverted position over-the journal box. hen a link of this description is employed, to obtain lateral movement of the axle, the journal boxes mustslide under the supporting links, but if the preferred construction is employed, as

shown for instance in Fig. 3, the links are independent of the truck frame except the vertical movement allowed between it and the truck frame member 1. A link suspension device or hanger made in several parts consists of the top bar 14 which lies in a groove on the top side of the journal box. The side pieces 14 are hung from the top bar and at their. lower ends are pivoted to a. short piece 14 which is threaded to receive the retaining nuts 1' It is necessary that the links or hangers should be of great strength for they are required to carry the full load of the car body and truck. For this and other reasons I may find it advantageous to construct the hanger as shown in Fig. 4. In this construction the hanger-consists of'a solid forged U- shaped link 14 provided with hooked ends 14 which engage and hook into eyes formed at the ends of the pieces 14" which connect the plate 16. This plate is preferably hollowed out as shown in full lines in Fig. 3 and in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The nuts 17 will fit in the hollowed recess and be prevented f'rom turning. This acts asa very effective nut-lock which is of considerable importance, for it is essential hat these nuts should not work loose.

The manner of mounting or dismounting the truck consists in first jacking up the truck to relieve the suspending device from ends abutting against the projections 19 of the member 1; the truck can then move up and down under, control of the'springs 8,

' or if the wheels strike an obstacleon the trackthe force of the blow is taken up by the 'yieldingsuspension. I may however. as shown in dotted lines in Fi 1 have a. single spring plank 16 extending 'rom one pedestal section to the other. The spring plank in itl er form, besides serving as a spring suspension, also acts as a means for preventing end thrust to the truck causing the journal boxes to become clamped 1n then-recesses.

'llhis prevention. happens because the ends of the spring plank abut against the projections 19 of the truck frame and thereby the recesses 13 are prevented from closing up.

In order that undue friction does not occur, antlfrictlon rollers 20 are interposed be- 'wearing surfaces'for the journal box against said the side walls of the recess. These lugs also term a housing for the. link 14 and prevent "it from rubbing against the walls of the recess when it is tilting under the effect of side'thrust to the axle journal boxes.

In Fig. 5 a form of construction for a radialgear is shown. In this construction the truck frame can be constructed as shown in Fig. 1- withthe 'e'xception that a wider recessis made for the journal boxes. The

suspension device as shown in Fig. 5 is also similar with the exception that the ends of thes ring plank 16 do not abut against the mean or 1 butinstea'd thereof, owing to the greater space allowed in the recess, I may provid lugs 23 on the plank 16.. These lugs dbut against the side walls ofthe recess 13 and tljereby prevent end movement ofthe ank.

W th the object in view of permitting the axle and wheels to radiate with respect to the curves of thet'rack on which the vehicle is running, I employ a spring suspension which will allow both alateral and a radial movement. The radial movement is obtained by the plate 24- pivoted, preferably with ball-bearings, on the top of the journal box. The plate 24 has projections 26 extend ing out beyond the sides of the ournal box, and in these pro ections are sockets for balls 25 on the upper ends of the connecting bars- 14. The lower ends of these barsare thread ed to receive turn-buckles 27 or other adjustable connecting devices. A piece 28 tral portion of the plank may be curved slightly to allow radiation of the axle or the forked ends of the piece 28 are spread to leave suilicicnt space between the side of the plank and the. forked ends. The spindle 29 furnishes a bearing for the roller 30 upon which the spring plank rests.

.It will be understood that when the axle of the vehicle must radiate to conform with a curve in the track, the radiation will take place with the pivot 24 on one journal box as a. center. The journal box on the oppo site end jof the axle must necessarily travel in a circular course, and to allow it to travel its full course without the journal box, or as illustrated the projections of the pivotal plate 24, being .obstruoted,.the recess 13 will be wide enough to permit all the movement required. The friction. rollers 30 have to carry the full load of the vehicleso it is necessary that they should have a strong bearing, and if desired the connecting strip 31 may Jrovide bearings for more rollers.

It wil be seen that with mynon-radial gear liereinbefore described, a movement. up and down and lateral y is permitted between the truck and the journal box, but with the radial gear these vertical and lateral movements are obtained plus the radial more n1ent; this' latter suspension is then practically a universal spring connection between the truck and the axle journals. The connection between the haiiger and the ournal box as shown in Fig. may also be adopted in a'nona'adial gear construction. The projections which support the ballshaped end of the bars would be preferably formed in the top of the journal boxes. Also the ,l'ianger or links shown in the other figures of the drawing, or any other suitable form, may be employed with the radial suspension. If a hanger shown with either of the other modifications were used the plate 2- would beprovidcd with a. groove and the link would hang over the projections so it would clear the journal box to allow the lat ter to turn.

- Another important feature of my improved spring plank suspension device is that the effective wheel base for the truck is increased without increasing the distance between the wheel centers. The effective wheel base when aispring plank constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention is employed extends from the axle spring nearest to one end of the truck to the corresponding spring at theother end of the.

truck. i w

What I claim asnew and (leslre to secure by Letters Patent of the llnitcd Sta tes is pension of thtruck from the axle or axles Y of the car or vehicle to permit an independent separate or combined lateral and radial movement of the axle or axles, the means for suspending the truck also serving to increase the effective wheel base of the truck, the said means consisting of an independent sus pended member, plate or bar supported from the axle journal boxes by a depending link, links, or hanger, said plate or'member beau in'g against the under-side of the truck frame side member and held against longitudinal and lateral movement by said frame.

2. In combination, as a suspension device for a car truck, an independent suspended member or plate supported from the axle journal box by a depending link, links or hanger, said plate or member bearing against the under-side ofthe truck frame member through the medium of springs, and recesses or the equivalent on the truck frame side member or projections on the plate or independent member which restrain the latter member from moving out of its set position, substantially as shown and described.

3. In combination, as a suspension device for a car truck which permits independent radial movement of the car axle, an independent suspended member or plate supported from the axle journal box by a depending link, links or hanger, said plate or member bearing against the under-side of the truck frame member through the medium of springs, an anti-friction roller or similar device carried at theextremities of truck supporting links or the like and an arrangement of devices whereby the said independent suspended member is loosely supported upon or connected to the said roller or anti'friction device,'substantially as described.

4. In combination, as a suspension device for a car truck, an independent suspended member or plate supported from the axle journal box by a. depending link, links or hanger, said plate or member bearing against the under-side of the truck frame'member through the medium of springs, and a pivoted or swivelin plate carried on the topside of the axle ournal box, the supporting links depending from the said pivoted plate and the connection between the links and the said supported independent member being such that an independent radial movement of the axle is allowed, substantially as described.

5. A suspension device for a car truck consisting of a link or hanger depending from the journal box and supporting-at its lower ends a. spring plank or independent member, the connection between the link and the said plank or independent member being such that an imlependent lateral or radial or lateral and radial movement of the axle is allowed, substantially as described.

6. In a device for suspending the truck of a vehicle from the axle journal box a link or hanger carrying at its ends a plank or seating for the axle springs, nuts on the ends of the hanger for adjusting the length of the hanger, and a recess in the under-side of the plank to serve as a means for locking the adjusting nuts, substantially as described.

7. In combination with a car truck having a side frame member constructedto include as integral parts thereof the member constituting the top member or bar, the ped estal sections and end truss members of the truck frame side member, a device for suspending the truck from the axle journal box and increasing the effective wheel base of the truck,- the said device consisting of a plate or plank supported at the ends of a hanger depending from the top of the journal box, said plank being in engagement with portions of the truck frame side member and held against lateral and longitudinal movement thereby, and a spring or springs interposed between the said plank and the lower side of the truck frame member, all substantially as described.

8. In a suspension for trucks, the combination with the axle of a journal box mounted thereon, a link depending from the journal box, a plate supported upon said link, means for preventing a lateral or longitudinal i'novement of said plate, and

springs interposed between said plate and the lower portion of the truck frame.

9. In a suspension device for trucks, the combination with the truck frame of an axle, an axle box mounted thereon, an indemndent member suspended therefrom and held against longitudinal or lateral movement with respect to the truck frame, and

springs interposed between said member and the lower portion of the truck frame.

10. In a spring suspension for trncks,,in combination, with the truck frame of an axle, an axle box mounted thereon, an independent member suspended from the axle box, rectesses or equivalent devices upon said member or upon .the lower portion of the truck frame for preventing a relative lateral or longitudinal movement therebetween, and springs interposed between said member and said truck frame. i 11. In a spring suspension for trucks, in combination, a truck frame provided with pedestals, an axle extendingbetween said pedestals. an axle box resting upon said axle, an independent supporting device suspended frem said axle box and fixed against lateral or lOl'lgltllCllllfll movement with respect. to the truck frame but with respect to which said axle box is laterally and longitudinally movable, and springs interposed between said device and the truck frame.

12-. In a spring suspension for trucks, in

l combination, a truck frame provided with pedestals, an axle extending between said frame,'and springs interposed between said pedestals, an axle box resting upon said plate and said truck frame. 10 axle, a link depending from said axle box, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my said axle box. being radially and laterally hand this 10th day of May 1906. movable With respect to said link, a plate EDGAR PECKHAM. I supported upon said link, means for pre- 'Witnesses:

venting relative lateral and longitudinal ARNOLD J. TANNER,

movement between said plate and the' truck H. D. JA Mvsrw 

